There’s a history of Cincinnati influence in South Bend, including Kelly, who spent three seasons with the Bearcats before taking the Notre Dame job. A year before Kelly poached Freeman, he hired Bearcats defensive backs coach Mike Mickens, a Cincinnati alum who was a teammate of Freeman’s at Wayne High School outside of Dayton.

Marcus Freeman is one of the biggest names in college football right now — not just because the Notre Dame head coach has led the Fighting Irish to the brink of its first national championship since 1988, but because of how he has done it.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has become the center of college football and NFL rumors alike, drawing comparisons to a Super Bowl-winning coach for his transformative work in South Bend.

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

TSU's Eddie George and Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman became closer friends after their teams played each other and both are now enjoying success

One of the biggest rivals Notre Dame has ever had considers himself a fan of Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman.

After calling all of Notre Dame's Playoff games for ESPN, McElory has a unique perspective on the Fighting Irish.

Here is an in-depth look at Marcus Freeman, who has piqued the Bears' interest following his historic season at Notre Dame.